Dutch pianist
Mengelberg is in full reverie with this trio. He is teamed with Americans
Brad Jones (bass) and
Joey Baron (drums), who pretty much act as
Mengelberg's supporting cast, never getting too rhythmically flashy. The pianist's sound is a witty combination of modern harmonic invention and melodic improvisational forays into
Cecil Taylor territory. Many tuneful compositions crop up during the 11 tracks, all
Mengelberg originals. The title cut sounds like a newborn standard, a nice swinger that leads to a bridge with frantic
Taylor-like flourishes.
Mengelberg's main influence,
Herbie Nichols, comes shining through during another nice swinger, "Gare Guillemans," which features soulful touches and advanced harmonic nuances. The opening track, "Rollo II," starts off raucously before merging into a quaint swing reminiscent of "Tea for Two." "Rollo III" is bluesier and more
Nichols-like. "A Bit Nervous" has a skittish calypso beat accented by
Sunny Murray-ish piano. The lone solo piano number, "Peer's Counting Song," evokes the elegance of
Ellington, the angularity of
Monk, and the dark, rambling harmonics of
Mal Waldron. Most fun is "Elevator," with
Jones' twittering bass,
Baron's tom-tom beat, and
Mengelberg's dynamic piano. Each composition is a great example of the pianist's enormous musicianship. This is
Mengelberg's finest hour.